Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce the answer by highlighting the significance of Gandhian Ethics
• Highlight the significance of gandhian ethics on contemporary public service
• Conclude positively.

Introduction

The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi transcends the boundaries of time. His philosophy, forged in the fires of India's independence struggle, continues to resonate with profound relevance for the contemporary public servant.

• In a world grappling with complex challenges from social inequalities to environmental degradation,
• Gandhian ethics offer a compass for navigating the challenges in public service.

Body

Significance of Gandhian Ethics on Contemporary Public Service:

• Satyagraha (Truth Force):
  • Transparency and Accountability: Public servants can uphold Satyagraha by practicing radical transparency.
    • This means proactively disclosing information, admitting mistakes, and being open to public scrutiny.
  • Whistle-blowing: When faced with corruption or wrongdoing, Gandhian ethics encourage whistleblowing, even if it means challenging superiors.
    • This ensures truth prevails and exposes injustices within the system.
  • Policy Formulation: Public servants can embody Satyagraha by seeking truth through data-driven decision-making and public consultations.
    • This ensures policies reflect the needs of the people and are based on factual evidence.
• Ahimsa (Non-Violence):
  • Conflict Resolution: Ahimsa promotes peaceful conflict resolution. Public servants can embody this by using dialogue, mediation, and empathy to address disagreements with colleagues, citizens, or other stakeholders.
  • Social Justice: Ahimsa advocates for social inclusion and equal rights. Public servants can strive for equitable development and avoid discriminatory practices in service delivery.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Ahimsa extends to non-violence against the environment as well.
    • Public servants can promote eco-friendly practices, resource conservation, and sustainable development initiatives.
• Swavalamban (Self-Reliance):
  • Empowerment: Swavalamban emphasizes empowering citizens to become self-sufficient.
    • Public servants can create programs that equip communities with resources and skills, fostering long-term development.
  • Decentralization: Swavalamban encourages decision-making at the local level.
    • Public servants can devolve power to local bodies, promoting community ownership and participation in development projects.
  • Efficiency and Resource Management: Swavalamban promotes efficient use of resources.
    • Public servants can streamline processes, minimize waste, and explore innovative solutions to optimize resource utilization.
• The Seven Sins: In public service, Gandhi's seven social sins: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, and politics without principle, serve as ethical guidelines.
  • They emphasize fair compensation, moral integrity, responsible use of knowledge, ethical business practices, human welfare in science, genuine commitment, and principled decision-making.
  • Adhering to these principles promotes ethical governance and contributes to a just and equitable society.

Conclusion

By embracing these core ideals, public servants can cultivate a more ethical and effective approach to governance. Upholding truth, advocating for non-violence, promoting self-reliance, striving for universal upliftment, and detaching from personal gain can create a more just and equitable society in the spirit of Gandhian ethics.